FAAN set to host maiden aviation summit

•      To proffer solutions to aviation challenges

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has announced its preparedness to host a National Aviation Conference. FAAN in a statement by spokeswoman for FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said: “All is now set for the maiden “FAAN National Aviation Conference”.

Yakubu while explaining the shape of the event said, “The conference, with the theme ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport’ is aimed at providing a veritable platform for brainstorming and sharing knowledge and ideas on contemporary developments in the global aviation industry. It is slated for the 1st to the 4th of April, 2020, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.”

The conference is expected to gather ‘captains of industries, top government functionaries, seasoned aviation experts and key stakeholders like the Honourable Minister of Aviation – Senator Hadi Sirika, State Governors and Chief Executives of aviation agencies’.

Some of the speakers to grace the event are:  Ms .Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC); Nick Fadugba, the chairman African Business Aviation Association (AfBAA); Capt. Roland Iyayi, Managing Director, Topbrass Aviation; Dr. Anne  Eyinnaya-Egbadon; Engr Peter O.  Onyeri, among others.

“The conference will also feature an investment forum, which will focus on attracting local and international investors in order to apprise them with the investment opportunities in the Nigerian aviation industry.

“Some of the topics that will be treated by seasoned aviation experts at the conference include; Implementing Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM): Prospects and Challenges, Collaborative Service Delivery in Nigeria Air Transport Industry: The way forward, Aviation and National Security: Emerging Trends, Addressing Nigeria’s Unviable Airport Syndrome, Nigerian Airports: Gateway to Developing and Managing Tourist Destinations in Nigeria, among others.

“Other attractions at the conference include: a career fair, that is aimed at arousing the interest of children at choosing and developing careers in aviation, essay competition exclusive to officers of aviation agencies and so on.”

The conference promises to be a catalyst for investments and national economic development, while also addressing the future of Nigerian Airports with respect to safety, security, innovations, financing, leasing, sustainability and growth.

Wole Shadare